Outdoors: Spring turkey hunting season takes slight downturn

Monday

Jul 7, 2014 at 6:24 PMJul 7, 2014 at 6:35 PM

The figures are in. MassWildlife Turkey Project Leader David Scarpitti reports at least 2,550 male wild turkeys were harvested during the Massachusetts spring hunting season. That total is slightly below normal, as expected.

The overall turkey population was slightly down, the result of a tough, cold and rainy spell during the 2013 critical first-week-of-June hatching period. Many chicks didn't survive. The cold, extended winter also appears to have altered the timing and extent of this spring's breeding movements. In addition, Scarpitti suggests that cold, rainy weather during the first week of this past hunting season — the time most hunters plan to get out — lowered participation.

What was the best tom harvested? No question about it if you ask proud father Dan Laukaitis. His daughter Anna shot her first turkey with a bow this season. That jake will always be top tom in the family.

Anna's success was no fluke. She is one of a growing number of young girls in our region becoming remarkably proficient in archery. Anna recently became certified as a level-one archery instructor at Archery Plus in Spencer. She also competed in the Indoor Northeast Nationals at Tantasqua earlier this year and placed seventh, and won first place in the Sectionals. In the Joad Championship, she placed second.

Anna shoots every Wednesday and Saturday at Archery Plus. She purchased her $1,000 Mathews Jewel compound bow exclusively with her own money, earning just enough from watching neighbors' dogs, mowing lawns and raking leaves. The 15-year-old Barre resident is a student at Quabbin Regional High School.

Turkey hunters can look forward to the fall season, which runs from October 20 to November 1 throughout the state, except for Nantucket. The fall season allows birds of either sex to be harvested. It doesn't inspire the same number of turkey hunters, though. The great lure of turkey hunting is using one's calling skills to attract a big wary tom in his full strutting glory that he displays only in spring. Nevertheless, I'll have a turkey call with me while bowhunting for deer then. I've been lucky enough to take a passing bird curiously responding to my clucking imitations. Deep-fried wild turkey breast is a gourmet treat.

Pair honored for cracking bait case

MassWildlife reports that Dr. Ken Simmons, our state's Chief of Hatcheries, and Thomas Ricardi Jr., Special Agent for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, were honored with the Investigative Achievement Award from the Department of Justice. For four years, Simmons and Ricardi worked on a case involving Michael and Paul Zombik, owners and operators of Michael's Wholesale Bait. The father and son illegally transported tens of thousands of pounds of live baitfish worth millions of dollars across state lines without required health certifications and permits. They also illegally imported protected Eastern silvery minnows into Massachusetts from Vermont, violating the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act.

The Zombiks' actions created a significant risk of infestation and disease potentially harmful to our state's fish. Guilty of violating the federal Lacey Act, Paul Zombik was sentenced to one year and a day in prison, two years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $50,000 to the Lacey Act Reward Fund. Michael Zombik was sentenced to six months in prison, two years of supervised release, and fined $50,000 for the Lacey Act Reward Fund. Both men are prohibited from dealing in live fish during their post-prison terms of supervised release.

MassWildlife offers programs

MassWildlife has announced opportunities for participation in two Becoming an Outdoor Family Camping Weekends. BOW (Becoming an Outdoor Woman) and the Department of Conservation and Recreation are teaming up to provide this experience as part of the Learn to Camp Program.

The first Family Camping Workshop will be held July 26 and 27 at Myles Standish State Forest in Carver. The second will be held August 2-3 at Harold Parker State Forest in Andover. These family-friendly events are designed specifically for families new to camping that want to give it a try. Activities include campsite setup, building and putting out campfires, open-fire cooking, archery and fishing for beginners. A traditional evening campfire, storyteller and live animal program are also planned. Registration materials are now available from the DCR for both events or call (617) 626-4962.

Another opportunity for women 13 years and older is sponsored by the Central Mass. Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and is being organized by several Massachusetts women who got their start with BOW. The event will be held Saturday, July 19, with an optional overnight campout at the Auburn Sportsmen's Club. Outdoor activities include archery, beekeeping, game processing, shooting sports safety, fly-fishing, canoeing/kayaking, self-defense and orienteering, vehicle maintenance, alpacas and a talk on wolves. Registration fee includes instruction in four skill sessions, a light breakfast, snacks and a hearty lunch, plus a membership to the NWTF. Participants who camp overnight will be treated to a campfire and meals. Registration and details are posted on the Central Mass. NWTF web site. Contact Kelly Dalbec, WITO Coordinator, at mkdalbec@gmail.com or call her at (978) 870-4830.